Hooker Fabio Ongaro made his Test debut for Italy against Canada in 2000, but found international recognition hard to come by in following seasons as he played second-fiddle to the more experienced Alessandro Moscardi.

Ongaro's break came at the 2003 Rugby World Cup, where thanks to the absence of Moscardi he was able to start all four of Italy's tournament matches. He continued his good form through the 2004 Six Nations and after he scored his maiden Test try against Scotland during the tournament he was handed the honour of captaining Italy during that season's autumn internationals.

He spent the early part of his career with Italian Super 10 side Benetton Treviso, before switching to English Premiership side Saracens in 2006. His most recent move took him back to Italy with Aironi ahead of their debut season in the Magners League.

Ongaro will vie with Leonardo Ghiraldini for a place in Italy's starting XV in the forthcoming World Cup.